Increasing numbers of people on Australia tours are embarking on long-distance rail travel instead of using the country’s roads.

This is according to figures from Queensland Rail Travel, which revealed a 584 per cent increase on the previous record number of interstate travellers during the third quarter of the year.

A total of 1,535 people made trips on the state’s rail network, which highlights the train as one of the most popular ways of travelling between states.

Max Kruse, Queensland Rail Travel’s general manager, said the figures were proof that long-distance rail travel is on the up in Australia.

“Anecdotal evidence from around the world shows people are looking for experiences they haven’t come across before,” he commented.

“Thanks to Queensland’s stunning natural landscape and wildlife, we can provide people from Australia and the rest of the world with an experience they won’t get anywhere else.”

Mr Kruse’s sentiments were echoed by Anthony Hayes, the chief executive officer of Tourism Queensland, who said the train played an important role for those on Australia holidays visiting the country’s spread-out attractions.

“I congratulate Queensland Rail Travel for their leadership linking all of our wonderful experiences,” he said.

A number of long-distance passenger trains operate in Queensland, with the flagship diesel and electric Tilt Trains travelling between Brisbane and Rockhampton and Brisbane to Cairns. Approximately one million people travel on Queensland Rail Travel’s services each year.

Australia’s rail network as a whole consists of 41,461 km of track, with the majority of services managed and operated by the state.